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[DesertHOG]

In looking at both the Progressive 440's and the Ricor Shocks and you seem to be able to purchase either a 13" or a 13.5" shock length for touring bikes like my SEURG. I am considering the 13.5" to get a little higher in the seat, especially with a BSR. Thoughts? Do I need to mod the front end as well if I do this.

Thanks in advance for sharing your knowledge and/or opinions.

DesertHOG

[Spiderman]

In looking at both the Progressive 440's and the Ricor Shocks and you seem to be able to purchase either a 13" or a 13.5" shock length for touring bikes like my SEURG. I am considering the 13.5" to get a little higher in the seat, especially with a BSR. Thoughts? Do I need to mod the front end as well if I do this.

Thanks in advance for sharing your knowledge and/or opinions.

DesertHOG

Others may disagree and that's fine. We all have our opinions based on personal experiences. In my opinion, any change to one component of the suspension system has to be backed up with a like change to the remainder. In your case, if you are going to elevate the rear of your motorcycle then you're going to shift the load center forward thus placing more stess on your front suspension. As such, you need to do something simple like add a 1" spacer in the top of your fork tubes to lift the front end to match the added height in the rear or something more expensive like replacing the fork springs or even more expensive like a Tracion Dynamics AK-20 kit. Whatever you do make sure you maintain the same attitude in your frame as the vehicle was designed to. It sounds to me like you'd prefer the stock suspension height to the lowered height of the CVO. You might solve your problem more cheaply by identifying the stock (non CVO) suspension components and swapping them out with your CVO components. 

B B

[DesertHOG]

Others may disagree and that's fine. We all have our opinions based on personal experiences. In my opinion, any change to one component of the suspension system has to be backed up with a like change to the remainder. In your case, if you are going to elevate the rear of your motorcycle then you're going to shift the load center forward thus placing more stess on your front suspension. As such, you need to do something simple like add a 1" spacer in the top of your fork tubes to lift the front end to match the added height in the rear or something more expensive like replacing the fork springs or even more expensive like a Tracion Dynamics AK-20 kit. Whatever you do make sure you maintain the same attitude in your frame as the vehicle was designed to. It sounds to me like you'd prefer the stock suspension height to the lowered height of the CVO. You might solve your problem more cheaply by identifying the stock (non CVO) suspension components and swapping them out with your CVO components. 

B B

I believe my '11 FLTRUSE has a standard height rear suspension since it's a touring bike and not the FLTR Custom.

Simon

[Spiderman]

I believe my '11 FLTRUSE has a standard height rear suspension since it's a touring bike and not the FLTR Custom.

Simon

Can't say for sure, but I thought all CVO model Baggers were lowered 1 inch

B B

[VRODDAVE]

I removed the stock 12 inch air shocks off my flhtcse and installed the 440's in the 13 inch, soft spring.  This was 1 inch taller then the stock for the screaming eagle and i think it made a world of difference on my bike.  I am satified enough with the ride to not even be thinking of one of the more expensive upgrade options.   

for what ever its worth.....

[SBB]

Can't say for sure, but I thought all CVO model Baggers were lowered 1 inch

B B

Wrong
Research it.

 

SBB

[grc]

The CUSEx models all came/come with standard suspensions, 13" shocks and standard length forks.  I'm about 99.99% certain that the new SE Road Glide Ultra also comes with the standard suspension.

As for going with 13.5" shocks instead of 13.0" shocks, I'm not sure what that would really do for you.  Look at the actual specs for the shocks you're considering and you may find there is very little if any difference in total travel.  A typical 13" shock has approximately 3" of total travel, btw.  Progressive has exact total travel specs on their web site, not sure about other brands but I'm sure you could call them.


Jerry


Edit:  Decided to look up the Progressive 440 specs to see just how much difference in total travel would result from going to a 13.5" shock.  Turns out to be 0.23" more total travel with the 13.5" shock.

Standard Spring:       Heavy Duty Spring:
440-4002 B/C           440-4020 B/C             13.0" extended length, total travel 3.18"
440-4003 B/C           440-4021 B/C             13.5" extended length, total travel 3.41"

[Spiderman]

Jerry
           To give you an idea how out of it I am H-D in general and CVO in particular (I've not been to a dealership since 2009) I've no clue what a CUSEx is ?

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[DesertHOG]

Jerry
           To give you an idea how out of it I am H-D in general and CVO in particular (I've not been to a dealership since 2009) I've no clue what a CUSEx is ?

B B

CUSEx = Ultra Classic Screamin' Eagle (where x designated some sequential iteration .. 1,2,3,4,5, etc)

[miker]

(x), variable.

[Warhawk]

I don't know how comfortable you feel with doing this kind of work, but I'm seeing reports of very good results from the stock 13 inch air shocks with a change of shock oil.

Check it out  ... http://www.hdforums.com/forum/touring-models/129136-making-the-stock-shocks-better.html

I would give it a try before spending big bucks on new shocks. I wish I had known about this when I had an FLHTC.